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This Can't Be Happening Collection #4
Black Sheep
An irresponsible twentysomething comic and his equally shameless grandmother join forces as proud pariahs in this dark and rowdy story of dicey family ties, kindred spirits, bad behavior, and bribery.
When Rory’s judgmental mother told him that he took after his grandma Evelyn, he took it as a compliment. The ninety-two-year-old cocktail-toting, offtrack-betting party girl was every bit the troublemaker he was. When she landed at a dead-end nursing home, Rory jumped at the chance to liven things up for bored Evelyn—with vodka, scratch-offs, bingo, and gaming. But even in this modest assisted-living casino, the risk of betrayal was a gamble.
Rory Scholl’s Black Sheep is part of This Can’t Be Happening, a collection of four true stories about making the best of a worst-case scenario curated by Kevin Allison, creator of the hit true storytelling podcast RISK! Outrageous, alarming, triumphant, and sometimes embarrassing, these fearless confessionals can be read, or listened to, in one what-on-earth-would-I-do? sitting.
When Rory’s judgmental mother told him that he took after his grandma Evelyn, he took it as a compliment. The ninety-two-year-old cocktail-toting, offtrack-betting party girl was every bit the troublemaker he was. When she landed at a dead-end nursing home, Rory jumped at the chance to liven things up for bored Evelyn—with vodka, scratch-offs, bingo, and gaming. But even in this modest assisted-living casino, the risk of betrayal was a gamble.
Rory Scholl’s Black Sheep is part of This Can’t Be Happening, a collection of four true stories about making the best of a worst-case scenario curated by Kevin Allison, creator of the hit true storytelling podcast RISK! Outrageous, alarming, triumphant, and sometimes embarrassing, these fearless confessionals can be read, or listened to, in one what-on-earth-would-I-do? sitting.
24 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2018
913 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
January 19, 2023
Grandma and Grandson in cahoots…I love it.
This was a quirky little read. Funny at times, heartfelt at times and it made me miss my own Grandma. It also made me wish I had a relationship with her like the Author did his. I love that he’s the black sheep - to me, he was the right kind of one.
Effortless short listen while driving, the best kind of audiobook if you ask me.
This was a quirky little read. Funny at times, heartfelt at times and it made me miss my own Grandma. It also made me wish I had a relationship with her like the Author did his. I love that he’s the black sheep - to me, he was the right kind of one.
Effortless short listen while driving, the best kind of audiobook if you ask me.
January 4, 2019
Every family has a black sheep....the one who is judged, misunderstood and the cause of many eyerolls, face palms and eyebrow raises. In my family, it's me. I married young when I was stupid and got divorced....cue much wailing and gnashing of teeth from my extended Catholic family. Then, after a long stint of single parenting (eyebrow raises and much face palming from said Catholic family) was followed by my remarriage....to a Protestant. Not just a Protestant...but a decedent of That Troublemaker also known as Martin Luther (more wailing and gnashing of teeth by the papists...and several ancestors rolling in Irish and German graves, of course). When I saw that this story was about a Black Sheep and his feisty grandmother, I knew I would love it. And I wasn't wrong!
Rory Scholl beautifully weaves the story of his grandmother, her cats and her awesomely stand-out personality, plus his dreams of being a comedian despite his parents constant lectures on responsibility, dead end careers and their disappointment in him. But, he knows he can share his triumphs and challenges with his grandmother. She always supports him and listens. Every week he goes to see her. They play bingo and socialize....and he even sneaks in a bit of liquor for her...which of course lands him in hot water with his family again.
A joyous story about strong personalities and free spirits. I loved it! And guess what? Rory is a successful comedian and happy in his life. Pffffft to nay-sayers. And, I'm still married to my lovely Protestant spouse (happily living 1200 miles away from my family) while my ancestors still roll around in their sepulchres.
*Wink* Sometimes it's ok to be the black sheep. :)
I listened to the audio version of this story. It's an easy, quick listen at under an hour. Rory Scholl narrates his own story. All in all, a fun, delightful listen about family shenanigans and learning to march to the beat of your own drum.
Black Sheep is part of the Audible/Amazon Originals This Can't Be Happening Collection. The collection gathers four stories about people dealing with the worst moments of their lives and coming out on top. This is the third story in the collection I've listened to. Most of the time Amazon Originals are hit or miss for me, but this collection is definitely a hit. I have enjoyed each story so far. One left! On to the next!
Rory Scholl beautifully weaves the story of his grandmother, her cats and her awesomely stand-out personality, plus his dreams of being a comedian despite his parents constant lectures on responsibility, dead end careers and their disappointment in him. But, he knows he can share his triumphs and challenges with his grandmother. She always supports him and listens. Every week he goes to see her. They play bingo and socialize....and he even sneaks in a bit of liquor for her...which of course lands him in hot water with his family again.
A joyous story about strong personalities and free spirits. I loved it! And guess what? Rory is a successful comedian and happy in his life. Pffffft to nay-sayers. And, I'm still married to my lovely Protestant spouse (happily living 1200 miles away from my family) while my ancestors still roll around in their sepulchres.
*Wink* Sometimes it's ok to be the black sheep. :)
I listened to the audio version of this story. It's an easy, quick listen at under an hour. Rory Scholl narrates his own story. All in all, a fun, delightful listen about family shenanigans and learning to march to the beat of your own drum.
Black Sheep is part of the Audible/Amazon Originals This Can't Be Happening Collection. The collection gathers four stories about people dealing with the worst moments of their lives and coming out on top. This is the third story in the collection I've listened to. Most of the time Amazon Originals are hit or miss for me, but this collection is definitely a hit. I have enjoyed each story so far. One left! On to the next!
February 16, 2022
Rory and his Grandmother have an awesome relationship. Unfortunately his relationship with his parents isn't so rosy.
This title is part of the This Can't Be Happening collection available on Kindle Unlimited, a collection of four true stories about making the best of a worst-case scenario.
Two stars - my least favorite of this collection.
This title is part of the This Can't Be Happening collection available on Kindle Unlimited, a collection of four true stories about making the best of a worst-case scenario.
Two stars - my least favorite of this collection.
February 3, 2019
I found this particular entry to be, in a word, obnoxious.
Look, I don't have a problem with Black Sheep. The older I get, the more I subscribe to the "you do you" philosophy. I don't need everyone to follow the proscribed path and live life according to a narrow definition.
But there's a difference between being a Black Sheep because, say, you want to be a comedian but your family wants you to go to college and get an office job, and being a Black Sheep because you're an alcoholic who's prone to outbursts that land you in jail. While the author was whining about being judged by his family, I found myself thinking, "Uh, yeah. Can you blame them?" Apart from what seems to be an alarming drinking habit, he also appears to have created an inordinate amount of drama in their lives, from ending up in jail to nearly getting his grandmother kicked out of her nursing home.
The alcoholic aspect really, really bugs me. I have a great deal of experience with alcoholics, having had many in my life. But the fact of the matter is that, while addiction is no laughing matter and is a medical issue, few things are worse to people who are on the receiving end of an alcoholic's "antics" than listening to that alcoholic attempt to justify unjustifiable behavior. When the thing you're doing interferes with someone else's life and they express anger and frustration over that behavior, you have no right to dismiss them as being judgy. The author fails to see this distinction. I have no problem whatsoever with people doing what makes them happy as long as they aren't inflicting suffering on others or interfering with other people's lives. The things the author describes both himself and his grandmother doing in this story most decidedly do interfere with the lives of those around them, *especially* when it comes to the author's behavior.
And I also have to point out how extremely obnoxious I found the author's "fight the power" attitude. It should go without saying by now that this country is desperately in need of having a serious discussion about issues like police brutality and excessive use of force, but this author has exactly zero right to lament about that. It's the ultimate example of white privilege to create a scene in a public place because you're sloppy drunk and then complain about how you're treated by the cops. I felt not a single iota of sympathy for the author. In fact, I felt the opposite. Given what's come out about how many people of color are killed as a result of police abusing their power, I find it appalling that the author would get on his high horse about a situation that was entirely of his own creation.
So, yeah, suffice to say I was pretty disgusted by this one.
Look, I don't have a problem with Black Sheep. The older I get, the more I subscribe to the "you do you" philosophy. I don't need everyone to follow the proscribed path and live life according to a narrow definition.
But there's a difference between being a Black Sheep because, say, you want to be a comedian but your family wants you to go to college and get an office job, and being a Black Sheep because you're an alcoholic who's prone to outbursts that land you in jail. While the author was whining about being judged by his family, I found myself thinking, "Uh, yeah. Can you blame them?" Apart from what seems to be an alarming drinking habit, he also appears to have created an inordinate amount of drama in their lives, from ending up in jail to nearly getting his grandmother kicked out of her nursing home.
The alcoholic aspect really, really bugs me. I have a great deal of experience with alcoholics, having had many in my life. But the fact of the matter is that, while addiction is no laughing matter and is a medical issue, few things are worse to people who are on the receiving end of an alcoholic's "antics" than listening to that alcoholic attempt to justify unjustifiable behavior. When the thing you're doing interferes with someone else's life and they express anger and frustration over that behavior, you have no right to dismiss them as being judgy. The author fails to see this distinction. I have no problem whatsoever with people doing what makes them happy as long as they aren't inflicting suffering on others or interfering with other people's lives. The things the author describes both himself and his grandmother doing in this story most decidedly do interfere with the lives of those around them, *especially* when it comes to the author's behavior.
And I also have to point out how extremely obnoxious I found the author's "fight the power" attitude. It should go without saying by now that this country is desperately in need of having a serious discussion about issues like police brutality and excessive use of force, but this author has exactly zero right to lament about that. It's the ultimate example of white privilege to create a scene in a public place because you're sloppy drunk and then complain about how you're treated by the cops. I felt not a single iota of sympathy for the author. In fact, I felt the opposite. Given what's come out about how many people of color are killed as a result of police abusing their power, I find it appalling that the author would get on his high horse about a situation that was entirely of his own creation.
So, yeah, suffice to say I was pretty disgusted by this one.
February 19, 2025
Definitely a good short read.. Reminds me of the relationship I had with my grandmother. But we didn’t indulge in the way the characters did in the story.. overall really nice story I enjoyed it
November 27, 2024
My Rating 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ bit silly, bit funny and a bit sad!!
This is a short story from the ‘This Can’t Be Happening Collection’ from Amazon Originals. I would have to go back and check but I am pretty sure these are either real stories or based on real stories.
This one is about kindred spirits, a Grandmother and Grandson who’s penchant for creating havoc and being their true and very own selves, gets them into trouble and sees them having a blast all at once.
I quite liked this little story its very short and easy to read.
This is a short story from the ‘This Can’t Be Happening Collection’ from Amazon Originals. I would have to go back and check but I am pretty sure these are either real stories or based on real stories.
This one is about kindred spirits, a Grandmother and Grandson who’s penchant for creating havoc and being their true and very own selves, gets them into trouble and sees them having a blast all at once.
I quite liked this little story its very short and easy to read.
January 8, 2019
This was, by far, the best of the four shorts that make up the This Can’t Be Happening Collection of Amazon Original Stories. As the piece unfolds, Rory Scholl shares memories of his relationships with his parents and his irreverent maternal grandmother. The structure is brilliant, with Scholl listing five things he has in common with his grandmother and elaborating on each through recollections of familial interactions. While speaking to and meeting with his mother and father often devolves into a judgemental tribunal, Scholl’s interactions with Evelyn, his feisty, vodka-swilling grandma are full of love and laughter. The unexpected climax here is one that may tug at your heart a little, and Scholl handles it with dignity and grace that represents a coming of age. Bittersweet and funny, this is a must read for anyone who has ever felt like the black sheep.
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August 26, 2024I don't rate biographies and memoirs.
I really enjoyed this snapshot into Rory Scholl's relationship with his grandmother. As the self appointed black sheep of the family, they have several things in common and Rory speaks of his grandmother with a mixture of deep love and respect. Bittersweet storytelling.
I really enjoyed this snapshot into Rory Scholl's relationship with his grandmother. As the self appointed black sheep of the family, they have several things in common and Rory speaks of his grandmother with a mixture of deep love and respect. Bittersweet storytelling.
October 10, 2024
Entertaining relationship listening 🏙🎎🎆
This kindle novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book four of four
He is a different kind of boy. He has issues getting along with his family. But grandma is different. They have a great relationship.
I would recommend this series and various authors to readers of relationship novels 🤔😎. 2024 😃😉
This kindle novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book four of four
He is a different kind of boy. He has issues getting along with his family. But grandma is different. They have a great relationship.
I would recommend this series and various authors to readers of relationship novels 🤔😎. 2024 😃😉
February 1, 2021
This collection is people’s personal stories so I don’t really feel like rating them like a book. Each story has a takeaway but I did not get any takeaway from this one. The author here is the self-professed black sheep of the family who talks about his shared connection with his grandma, who shared the same social order in the family due to her alcoholism. While their bond was cute, I could very well understand why he is the black sheep and felt the author was trivialising alcoholism.
December 5, 2024
Grandma and Me
Our narrator is a comedian who stared working at clubs underage and was popped for having an illegal ID and being obnoxious. His mother said that he was just like his grandmother who took in all stray cats and drifters that she drank with at all hours. Grandma was disapproved of as well.
When grandma went in to the nursing home, our comedian grandson went to visit her and keep her life as much of a party as possible. It was irresponsible stuff, but cute as heck. Five fun stars.
Our narrator is a comedian who stared working at clubs underage and was popped for having an illegal ID and being obnoxious. His mother said that he was just like his grandmother who took in all stray cats and drifters that she drank with at all hours. Grandma was disapproved of as well.
When grandma went in to the nursing home, our comedian grandson went to visit her and keep her life as much of a party as possible. It was irresponsible stuff, but cute as heck. Five fun stars.
January 20, 2019
Now I want a grandkid who will bring me booze and scratch-off tickets when I’m 92 ❤️
December 3, 2022
I thought my humour included some quirky, but this was just odd to me!
March 3, 2022
A great story about a crusty old grandma...loved it!
January 5, 2025
grandma was a pretty cool gal
January 10, 2019
Every family has a black sheep, one that marches to a different drummer. And it was Rory who didn't live up to his parents expectations. But oh, he and his grandmother were two of a kind. I loved the relationship they had together. She was feisty and did as she pleased, as did Rory! It was a great short story!
January 9, 2019
Great writing, average story
The author has a snappy writing style and great timing, but I found myself unmoved by his story. The title refers to both him and his grandmother, who act out and are then surprised that the family doesn't approve. He's a comic by trade, and invites his readers to laugh along with his wild escapades, which include getting drunk with his grandma and confronting police.
There were some comic moments, but mostly it just felt belligerent. This episode seems out of place for the series, since things aren't so much happening to the author as he is causing them.
The author has a snappy writing style and great timing, but I found myself unmoved by his story. The title refers to both him and his grandmother, who act out and are then surprised that the family doesn't approve. He's a comic by trade, and invites his readers to laugh along with his wild escapades, which include getting drunk with his grandma and confronting police.
There were some comic moments, but mostly it just felt belligerent. This episode seems out of place for the series, since things aren't so much happening to the author as he is causing them.
December 27, 2019
“She didn’t have any close friends, but she had a lot of close acquaintances, and she loved being the center of attention.”
March 4, 2019
I don’t think there’s anything funny about being an obnoxious alcoholic. I have an alcoholic, drug-addicted brother who has destroyed every relationship he’s ever had; there’s nothing funny about it and his eight children (ranging in age from their 20s all the way down to toddlers) have grown up without a father while their mothers (six in all) are left raising them alone.
As a nurse, I see how toxic alcoholism is and how it poisons not only the user’s life but every life he or she touches, which is why the author’s parents have “abandoned him.” Alcoholics justify their actions while everyone else is the bad guy, but there comes a time when enough is enough. I’ve also been on the receiving end when an alcoholic patient remains in hospital for several days after surgery and goes berserk because they’re withdrawing. Not cool. Not pretty. Not sexy. Not funny.
As a nurse, I see how toxic alcoholism is and how it poisons not only the user’s life but every life he or she touches, which is why the author’s parents have “abandoned him.” Alcoholics justify their actions while everyone else is the bad guy, but there comes a time when enough is enough. I’ve also been on the receiving end when an alcoholic patient remains in hospital for several days after surgery and goes berserk because they’re withdrawing. Not cool. Not pretty. Not sexy. Not funny.
March 28, 2019
Rory Scholl and his grandmother share the same interests and lack of responsibility in living. Both enjoy gambling and drinking in excess to the horror of the rest of the family. However, after Rory's ninety-two-year-old grandmother is caught drinking in her nursing home, Rory discovers even black sheep have days of reckoning where social expectations finally matter.
November 13, 2022
My god this was wonderful! I wish that this author had a huge catalogue of books for me to enjoy but alas! This one is it. I laughed from the first page on and I laughed so hard that my daughter asked if I was okay!
He tells the story of his grandmother and the relationship they shared that was filled with fun. It continued after she had to be moved to a nursing home and he visited her weekly to enjoy some drinking and gambling with her. I want to be that kind of old lady. I’m old, already living with my daughter and for all I know there will be a nursing home in my future. The joy just jumps off the page in this short story and everyone needs joy and laughter in their life.
He tells the story of his grandmother and the relationship they shared that was filled with fun. It continued after she had to be moved to a nursing home and he visited her weekly to enjoy some drinking and gambling with her. I want to be that kind of old lady. I’m old, already living with my daughter and for all I know there will be a nursing home in my future. The joy just jumps off the page in this short story and everyone needs joy and laughter in their life.
January 14, 2019
Black Sheep
I Picked Up This Book Because: Wanted to try Kindle Unlimited’s audio-narration feature.
The Story:
A fun quick look into the author’s life. He made me fall in love with his grandma in these few short pages. She seems like a fun lady.
The Random Thoughts:
The Score Card:
4 Stars
I Picked Up This Book Because: Wanted to try Kindle Unlimited’s audio-narration feature.
The Story:
A fun quick look into the author’s life. He made me fall in love with his grandma in these few short pages. She seems like a fun lady.
The Random Thoughts:
The Score Card:
4 Stars
May 2, 2022
I have mixed feelings about this. The author definitely made terrible, stupid, reckless, did I mention stupid choices!
But for the rest of the family to not inform him about his grandmother for almost a year was mean and selfish on their part.
But for the rest of the family to not inform him about his grandmother for almost a year was mean and selfish on their part.
October 23, 2025
This was such a funny, kinda touching and nice story.
Honestly, I feel like if fleshed out, I’d read this as a larger book and not just a short 28 pages. I liked the authors writing style, I’ll probably go add some more of their stuff to my TBR now!
Honestly, I feel like if fleshed out, I’d read this as a larger book and not just a short 28 pages. I liked the authors writing style, I’ll probably go add some more of their stuff to my TBR now!
January 14, 2019
Adorable short story! (Free from Audible) ;)
January 28, 2019
Slice of life feels like being sliced
It's funny. It's sad. It rings true. Not my life, thank goodness, but believable and written in a down to earth manner.
It's funny. It's sad. It rings true. Not my life, thank goodness, but believable and written in a down to earth manner.
August 14, 2020
My favorite of the short stories.
The Main character is clearly a mess, but a lovely mess. What makes the story special is that a man is being compared to a woman, which to me and my machismo laden Caribbean family members, is a NO-NO. But how awesome for him to be labeled a free spirit like his grandmother.
Additionally, I love that they had such a bond over simple things.
The ending of it all broke my heart, to not know your favorite person has left this world. How terrible of his family to do that to him and then be nonchalant about it. This is why and how people desert families and live life as though they are orphans, because of petty things like that.
Great story. And I hope he got his one cat.
The Main character is clearly a mess, but a lovely mess. What makes the story special is that a man is being compared to a woman, which to me and my machismo laden Caribbean family members, is a NO-NO. But how awesome for him to be labeled a free spirit like his grandmother.
Additionally, I love that they had such a bond over simple things.
The ending of it all broke my heart, to not know your favorite person has left this world. How terrible of his family to do that to him and then be nonchalant about it. This is why and how people desert families and live life as though they are orphans, because of petty things like that.
Great story. And I hope he got his one cat.
January 18, 2023
This was a nice story about embracing your true self and living your life on your terms. I liked it.
February 21, 2025
Booze and gambling!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews